Reading: John 13-15, Psalm 109
When I was in high school, I read the classic Science Fiction novel Dune for the first time. I had seen the super weird 1984 movie, and was absolutely stunned by how different the book was. One of the great themes of the novel is loyalty. In one highly charged scene, Paul Atreides is on the run and dependent on the desert Fremen. In desperate circumstances, he turns to the outcast of outcasts and asks them for their loyalty at the rightful ruler of their planet. Their leader, Liet Kynes, scoffs at him, telling him in effect that they are not for sale. Paul responds that their is one coin they will accept: his own total loyalty to them. “I would die for you,” he says. And he is right. The fiercely independent outcast Fremen find themselves unable to do anything but follow him.
In yesterday’s reading, John told us that the hour has come. It is a clear sign in the story that things are about to get super intense. Much of the rest of the book of John encompasses a single meal and conversation that Jesus has with his disciples before he goes to the cross. The content of this conversation is pretty intense- Jesus teaches about himself, the church, the Father, and the Holy Spirit in the space of a couple of chapters. There is an enormous amount going on here, and I’m not going to even try to cover it all. But I think there are some key themes that John is attempting to communicate, and one of the most important of those is loyalty.
We have already read of Peter’s confession: To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. The disciples do not understand Jesus, are sort of stunned by him, and recognize that he is dangerous to be around. But they cannot help following him. Now that the hour has come, Jesus takes his disciples to an upper room, and engages in his final series of teachings. He fully accepts their loyalty: you call me teacher and master, and you are right, for so I am. The disciples have recognized the authority and position of Jesus as the rightful Messianic king. They understand that he has the words of eternal life. They are loyal to him. Now they are going to be taught what that means. And it will shake their, and our, entire understanding of authority and power. In one of the more famous scenes in the Bible, Jesus bends down and washes their feet. They he asks them, Do you understand what I have done to you? Jesus, who they see correctly as their teacher and master, has served them. He has taken the low place. Been the servant. As I have washed your feet, so you shall wash one another’s feet. He has taken the picture of power and authority that exists in the disciple’s minds, and if we are honest about it our minds, and turned it inside out. Do you understand what I have done to you? Jesus has upended the way the world works. The powerful are lowly. The greatest are servants.
The disciples have seen Jesus display total mastery of people and place. He speaks and the wind and waves obey. He acts and the blind and the lame are made whole. He commands, and the dead live. They have seen all this, and accept that he is the rightful ruler. Now Jesus takes them and says yes, I am the rightful ruler. Be like me. And people like me act like this. Then he takes the lowest place and serves them. Then he dismisses his betrayer. After serving him. The early church had to deal with betrayal. With doubts about loyalty. John tells us that Jesus washed the feet of Judas. The rest of the reading today confirms Jesus’ authority, and repeats this command. I am the way. Love one another. I am the vine, you are the branches. He continually confirms their belief that Jesus is the authority, but then immediately turns to how they are to respond: by doing as he does. And he is the servant of all. He serves and dies for his people, even those who betray him. His loyalty is total. This is how we act in the Kingdom of God. This is the solution to the problem. This is who you are. This is the behavior of a new heart. This is how God makes all things new.